Registration has opened for a workshop on growing hops

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

The popularity of craft breweries in the area has meant a new demand for growing hops locally.

Winneshiek County Extension and Winneshiek County Master Gardeners are sponsoring a program March 10th at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company which will discuss growing hops. The speaker at the evening program, Keri Byrum of the Cedar Falls Hops Company, is a horticulturist with a biology degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master of Science degree from the University of Delaware. Cedar Falls Hops Company currently has seven acres devoted to four different varieties of Iowa hops which they sell primarily in Iowa.

Byrum will be talking about the history and culture of hops; the anatomy of hops; the life cycle of hops; caring for hops; harvesting hops and the future of the hops industry.

There is no fee for this program, but registration is requested by calling the Winneshiek County Extension Office at 563-382-2949 by Friday, March 6th.